Man found in Morgan Park house fire was shot in the head, officials said

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Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Morgan Park explosion, fire
Authorities say a fire at a Morgan Park home may have been set.
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CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man found dead after an explosion and fire at a home on the city's South Side died of a gunshot wound to the head, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office said Tuesday. Police are now searching for his car.

Investigators say a 2004 black Buick LeSabre is missing from the home. The license plate number is V617710.

Firefighters responded to a home in the 10800-block of South Morgan Street around 12:40 a.m. Monday and found the house fully engulfed by flames. The force blew out the windows and left a huge hole in the one-story home.

The death is being investigated as a homicide and the fire appears "suspicious," officials said. Fire detectives said natural gas was not a factor and the case is being investigated as possible arson.

The body was badly burned and has not been positively identified.

PHOTOS: House explosion, fire in Morgan Park neighborhood